Solar combisystem with seasonal thermal storage

The performance of a solar combisystem with a long-term thermal storage capacity is investigated for a typical one-storey detached house in Montreal. Simulation results from the TRNSYS program show that, starting with the second year, the system is able to cover fully the heating and domestic hot water thermal loads using the solar energy exclusively. The solar combisystem with seasonal storage capacity is technically feasible, can be built with equipment currently available, and can lead to significant energy savings in the residential sector in Montreal. The Energy Payback Time index shows that the embodied energy initially invested in the equipment is recovered in less than 6 years through the thermal energy savings. The current barriers to the deployment of such a system at large scale are the low electricity rates in Quebec, the high initial costs and the absence of substantial financial incentives.